TGIF FEATURE: Singer Jessica Sanchez dips into fashion

Reprinted from AsAm News

SEASON 11 American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez is trying her hand at fashion.

The songtress has teamed up with the Australian apparel brand Pins to Kill (P2K) to release limited edition Jessica Sanchez leggings.

When you see Sanchez model her new line, you can definitely see her inspiration.

It’s a look that’s befitting of the young Filipina/American from San Diego.

The singer models her leggings.

“The fact that I get to put out something that’s all my own is so exciting,” she says. “Music has always been what I want to do with my life, and these songs are all me.”

P2K specializes in customized leggings. Customers are encouraged to upload their design, photo and artwork to create their own customized leggings.

The Jessica Sanchez Leggings will only be available for two weeks beginning two days ago.

More information can be found here.https://pinstokill.com/

In case you've forgotten how talented Sanchez is, listen to her she sing 'The Prayer'

last month during American Idol's final show.

You can buy Jessica's new single 'Call Me' here.

###

Sonika Vaid's 'American Idol' journey comes to an end

Sonika Vaid's bid to become the American Idol ended March 24.

By Louis Chan
Reprinted from AsAm News

SONIKA VAID made a brave attempt to go where no Asian/American has gone on American Idol -- to win the championship.

Her journey ended Thursday night (March 24) when Ryan Seacrest announced she had been eliminated from the Top 5 of the show’s final season.

The 20-year-old Indian/American from Martha’s Vineyard wowed both fans and the judges with her smooth ballads.

RELATED: Sonia Vaid saves herself by letting herself go

She received some of the strongest praise for her this season when judges lauded her for cutting loose last week with her performance of Idina Menzel’s "Let It Go" from Disney’s Frozen.

It wasn’t enough as fans voted her out of the Top 5 leaving just LaPorsha Renae, MacKenzie Bourg, Trent Harmo, and Dalton Rapattoni.

Sonika’s Top 5 finish was the best performance by an Asian/American contestant since Jessica Sanchez in Season 11. Sanchez finished first runner-up that season.

Sonika Vaid saves herself by letting herself go on 'American Idol'

Sonika Vaid from Massachusetts needs to wow the audiences to continue on 'American Idol.'

SONIKA VAID must like living on the edge.

For the second week in a row she found herself in the bottom two as American Idol contestants were whittled down to the final five.

Vaid's performance of "Let It Go' showing off her strong vocals edged out Tristan McIntosh, of Tennessee, for the final spot in the top five.

The 20-year old Indian/Ameican Vaid from Massachusetts joins MacKenzie Bourg, Trent Harmon, Dalton Rapattoni, and La’Porsha Renae to move on next week.

After the judges last week urged her to loosen up, to "let herself go," by breaking out of the ballad genre where she excels.

Harry Connick Jr., who is her strongest supporter among the three judges, thought it was a perfect song choice for Vaid because it showed off her big voice. Judge Keith Urban said that her performances are really starting to “come alive” and Jennifer Lopez called her as “fierce.” 

Her biggest problem though is not winning the judges' favor, it is connecting with the viewers who vote for their favorites every week.

Will Vaid be the Asian/American to break the curse of these reality shows? A few have come close, such as Jessica Sanchez who finished first runner-up three years ago on American Idol. No Asian/American performer has been able to win it all.

American Idol airs on Fox, Thursday at 8 p.m. Next week will be a special two-hour episode. Tune in and vote for Vaid to put her in the Top Four.

Watch Sonika give the performance that saved her for another week.

Indian/American in the top six of 'American Idol'

Sonika Vaid of Massachusettes has made it to the final six in 'American Idol.'

By Louis Chan
Reprinted from AsAm News

THE TIME for hype has ended and the day is near for fans to pick the next American Idol.

Indian/American Sonika Vaid, 20, who was labeled an early favorite from day one to win it all has advanced to the top six.

Her performance of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing impressed the judge’s, but didn’t appear to overwhelm them.

Harry Connick Jr. was the most generous in his praise.

“That song has been sung six times since American Idol started and they’ve all been pretty darn good performances,” he said. “And I think of that song as one of those high risk, high reward performances because it’s so well known and its obviously an iconic performance by Whitney. For me, I love it.”

Keith Urban spent most of his time encouraging Vaid to let it all hang out whether she continues on the program or not.

“It’s a phenomenal song and your voice is gorgeous. All I ask is however this works out if you’re here next week, just continue to release and let go and show ... that stuff, because with that voice, amazing,” Urban advised.

Jennifer Lopez, who’s often a hype machine and the most encouraging, seemed to hold back a bit in her evaluation of Vaid’s performance.

“That’s probably my favorite Whitney Houston song ever. It’s just a hard song to sing and I think you did a good job with it,” Lopez said. “It’s so hard, so hard to judge those types of songs, but I think you did a good job. We have a hard decision to make right now.”

American Idol airs tonight, Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on the Fox network.

###